ProWine Mumbai 2023: A Toast to Success in the World of Wines and Spirits

ProWine Mumbai 2023: A Toast to Success in the World of Wines and Spirits

By Author

Published on December 9, 2023

ProWine Mumbai, the acclaimed event that unites the Wine & Spirits Community in India, recently celebrated its third edition, leaving a mark of excellence in the industry. The two-day exhibition, held at the Jio World Convention Centre on November 24th & 25th, brought together professionals for tastings, conversations, and fruitful business meetings.

Kicking off with the ceremonial popping of Champagne Laurent Perrier, attended by distinguished guests, including the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, City of Düsseldorf, Mr. Christian Zaum, the event set a tone of sophistication and collaboration.

ProWine Mumbai 2023 witnessed robust participation, with trade visitors spanning large hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners, importers, distributors, retailers, sommeliers, chefs, and consumers actively engaging on the exhibition floor. Exhibitors, impressed by the event's scale and quality, found it to be the ideal platform to connect with potential buyers and showcase their portfolios.

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Arno Schmid-Egger, Managing Director of Perola GmbH, emphasized the importance of ProWine Mumbai in gaining insights into the Indian market and establishing contacts with potential distribution partners.

The event featured 164 companies presenting over 1000 brands from 21 countries, attracting 5059 attendees from 24 countries across a vast 5,000 sqm of exhibition space. ProWine Mumbai's global appeal was evident, reflecting India's significance in the wines and spirits industry and its role as a gateway for international businesses.

Participating countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Spain, and the United States, showcased their finest products. The event also featured pavilions from various countries, fostering networking opportunities between visitors and wine makers.

Thomas Schlitt, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf India, expressed delight at the comprehensive platform ProWine Mumbai has become, incorporating an international flavor and diversity from the Indian wine and spirits industry. The event included masterclasses, the ProWine Spirits Challenge, and the ProWine Bartenders’ Competition, adding layers of expertise and competition to the overall experience.

Nikhil Agarwal, Founder of All Things Nice and Co-organizer of ProWine Mumbai, highlighted the event's success in exceeding expectations. “We strongly believe that this is India's moment  and we look forward to organising elevated editions of ProWine Mumbai in the  future. The goal has always been to promote wine, spirits and craft beverage  businesses and help new brands enter the Indian market. This year, I’m  particularly proud of the ProWine Bartenders’ Competition and the spotlight  that it throws on bartenders who are an integral part of the beverage industry,” he said.

Winners of the Prowine Spirits Challenge 

1. VODKA

Gold Medal: SMOKE LAB ANISEED

Silver Medal: SMOKE LAB CLASSIC, SMOKE LAB SAFFRON

2. WHISKY

Gold Medal: THE GLENWALK BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY, MCCONELLS

IRISH WHISKEY

Silver Medal: HINCH IRISH WHISKEY

3. GIN

Gold Medal: BARRISTER BLUE GIN, BARRISTER MUMBAI GIN, HAPUSA

HIMALAYAN DRY GIN

Silver Medal: HAYMAN’S LONDON DRY GIN, OREGIN GIN, GREATER THAN

LONDON DRY GIN, SECTOR LONDON DRY GIN, BAAGH

Bronze Medal: COLOMBO NO. 7, SOCHI

4. RUM

Gold Medal: SHORT STORY WHITE RUM, DAKU SILVER RUM, SITARA

SPICED RUM

Silver Medal: FLOR DE CANAS 4YR WHITE RUM, DAKU GOLD RUM, RHEA

DARK RUM

Bronze Medal: VIVA EL RON WHITE RUM, MAKAZAI GOLD RUM

5. TEQUILA

Silver Medal: 1800 SILVER, CODIGO 1530 BLANCO

6. LIQUEUR

Gold Medal: TEQUILA ROSE

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The Masterclasses, ProWine Spirits Challenge, and ProWine Bartenders’ Competition drew significant attention. The blind-tasting and scoring of spirits provided valuable insights for brands. The ProWine Bartenders’ Competition showcased the skills of talented bartenders, with Priyanka Mondal (ZLB23, The Leela Palace Bengaluru) earning the title 'ProWine Bartender of the Year.'

A panel discussion on the future of international craft spirits in India added depth to the event, featuring insights from industry experts. The ProWine Mumbai Night, a major networking event, brought together luminaries of the wine and spirits industry, hospitality leaders, media persons, and key exhibitors.

The event also hosted the India Wine Awards, recognizing the best wines available in the Indian market. The positive response from industry stakeholders and sponsors, coupled with the sector's growth forecast, positions ProWine Mumbai as a premier event in the wine and spirits calendar. The 4th edition is scheduled for November 8th & 9th, 2024, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.


ButterBrews Opens New Café in Aundh with Coffee-First Experience

ButterBrews Opens New Café in Aundh with Coffee-First Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 7, 2026

ButterBrews has opened its new outlet in Aundh, marking its largest format café so far. The new space has been designed as an everyday destination, bringing together a comfortable layout, a strong all-day menu, and a clear focus on coffee.

The café has been planned with multiple zones to suit different preferences. It includes an indoor seating area, a non-smoking outdoor section with an amphitheatre-style setup, and a separate smoking zone placed away from the main space to ensure a smooth and relaxed experience for all guests.

The menu offers a premium all-day selection built around fresh ingredients. Guests can choose from breakfast options, healthy bowls, wholesome meals, and vegan dishes, making it suitable for different tastes and dining needs throughout the day.

Coffee continues to be at the heart of the ButterBrews experience. The café uses 100 percent Arabica beans and serves both house blends and manually brewed coffees. It also features guest roasters like Tulum Coffee Roasters and Ground Zero Coffee Roasters, adding variety to its coffee offerings.

Desserts and baked items are prepared in-house at ButterBrews’ bakehouse. Popular choices include the Basque cheesecake and cinnamon rolls, which have already become favourites among guests.

Commenting on the opening, Harsh Agarwal, Co-founder, ButterBrews, said, “ButterBrews, Aundh is our largest format cafe yet. We have built a stronger indoor experience and created clear zones across the cafe so guests can settle in the way they like. We want this to be an address people can count on through the week.”

Umang Bhimrajka, Co-founder, ButterBrews, added, “For us, coffee has always been non-negotiable. With 100 percent Arabica beans, house espresso coffees and manual brews that rotate speciality roasters, we are bringing a program that balances familiarity with discovery. Alongside that, the all-day menu and our bakehouse desserts complete the experience we want to offer Aundh.”


McDonald’s India Brings Back Limited-Edition Sipper with App-Exclusive Meals

McDonald’s India Brings Back Limited-Edition Sipper with App-Exclusive Meals

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

McDonald's India – North and East has reintroduced its popular limited-edition Sipper, bringing back the fan-favourite collectible as part of its app-exclusive Super Sipper Meals. The offering follows strong customer demand earlier this year and is available for a limited time across select regions.

Accessible exclusively through the McDonald's App, the Super Sipper Meals can be ordered between 4 PM and 7 PM, adding an element of exclusivity and urgency for customers looking to grab the collectible while stocks last.

The meals are offered in two variants, catering to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences. The Veg option, includes a McAloo Tikki Burger, Medium Fries, Small Coke, and Pizza McPuff. The Non-Veg variant, features a McGrill Burger along with Medium Fries, Small Coke, and Pizza McPuff.

Commenting on the reintroduction, Rajeev Ranjan said the overwhelming response to the earlier launch highlighted customers’ interest in unique and engaging experiences. He added that the brand remains focused on delivering offerings that combine value, taste, and memorable moments.

Operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., McDonald’s India – North and East continues to strengthen its presence with over 295 restaurants and 190+ McCafé outlets across the region. The brand’s latest offering reflects its ongoing effort to create experience-led promotions that go beyond traditional value meals.

By combining everyday favourites with collectible merchandise, the reintroduced Sipper campaign aims to enhance customer engagement while driving digital adoption through its app ecosystem.


Ambience Mall Gurugram Welcomes CoCo Ichibanya to Its Dining Line-Up

Ambience Mall Gurugram Welcomes CoCo Ichibanya to Its Dining Line-Up

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 7, 2026

CoCo Ichibanya has opened its new outlet at Ambience Mall Gurugram, adding a global flavour to the mall’s growing food and beverage offerings. Located on the third floor, the restaurant spans around 3,000 sq. ft. and can accommodate up to 52 guests.

Founded in 1978 in Japan, CoCo Ichibanya is known as one of the world’s largest Japanese curry chains. The brand is popular for its curry-and-rice dishes, offering a mix of consistency and customisation, allowing diners to personalise their meals based on taste and preference.

The launch is part of Ambience Mall Gurugram’s ongoing effort to strengthen its dining portfolio by bringing in well-known international brands. With this addition, the mall continues to expand its options, offering both everyday dining choices and unique global experiences to visitors.

Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Consumer preferences today are evolving towards experiences that feel both authentic and globally relevant. CoCo Ichibanya brings a strong international identity along with an offering that is approachable and versatile. At Ambience Mall, our focus remains on curating a balanced and contemporary mix, and this addition further strengthens that direction.”

With the opening of CoCo Ichibanya, Ambience Mall Gurugram further builds its position as a destination that blends retail with curated dining and lifestyle experiences, catering to a modern and globally aware audience.

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